When you're learning new things, it's normal to make mistakes, and we all know that we learn from those errors. However, being aware of possible problems in advance can help you avoid some of these challenges, saving you a lot of time, energy, and maybe even money!

Today, our goal is to highlight common mistakes that junior designers often make during their UX/UI design studies. Being mindful of these pitfalls can help you steer clear of them, ultimately making your learning experience better.

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1. Get confused between graphic design and UX/UI design

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In the world of design, graphic design and UI design are seen as separate areas, each with its own special focus and goals. Graphic design mainly focuses on making visual elements, including things like layout, typography, colors, and images. Its main aim is to create designs that look good and effectively communicate a particular message or identity.

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On the flip side, UI design puts more emphasis on how users interact with digital products. It's all about improving how information is organized and presented to make the overall user experience better. UI designers focus on creating interfaces that are easy for users to understand, navigate, and smoothly interact with in a digital setting.

Even though graphic design and UI design share some common elements, like caring about how things look, their main goals are quite different. Graphic design aims to make compelling visuals for various mediums, while UI design specifically targets enhancing how users interact with digital interfaces, ensuring everything works well and the user experience is seamless.

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2. Being skilled with tools is often considered a sign of good design

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In many UX academies, more than a third of the curriculum is dedicated to teaching design tools like Figma. Despite being relatively new, Figma has quickly become one of the most widely used tools in the UX/UI design industry, with many companies making the switch and adopting it in the last 2–3 years.

The dynamic nature of the field means that new design tools could emerge at any time. However, UX/UI design tools are inherently intuitive, making them easy to grasp. There are plenty of free learning resources available through lessons or tutorials on platforms like YouTube.

It's advisable not to spend too much time mastering these tools. Since they have user-friendly interfaces, there's no need to invest a significant amount of time in becoming an expert. As mentioned earlier, the focus should be on understanding design principles and methodologies, as the tools themselves are designed to be easy to use and accessible.

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3. If you invest a lot of time, you will produce many works

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While it's undoubtedly helpful to dive deep into extensive learning and experimentation when refining design skills, it's essential to recognize that doing more work also increases the chances of making mistakes. Failing to address and fix these mistakes promptly can lead to a significant time investment for corrections later on.

Job interviews often include questions about the ability to create wireframes within tight timeframes and the efficiency of producing such designs. Therefore, there's a strong emphasis on preparing and gaining the skills needed to generate high-quality designs within limited time constraints.

Finding a balance between proficiency and speed is crucial. This ensures not only the ability to deliver under time constraints but also a commitment to refining and correcting any unintentional errors. Essentially, taking a strategic approach to study and practice becomes crucial to navigate these interview scenarios and develop a skill set that combines both quality and efficiency in design endeavors.

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4. Trying to add new features to UX

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UX is all about making the path users want and need to take easier and more appealing. It's essential not to overwhelm users with too many choices or confusion.

For instance, adding a delivery or posting feature to a messenger app might discourage users from using the app. If the app keeps introducing new features instead of focusing on the main goal of exchanging messages, users may not find it interesting; instead, they'll find it confusing due to the increasing features.

Remember, the ultimate goal of UX is to deeply understand and solve the problems users face in achieving a specific goal.

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Everyone makes mistakes, but consistently repeating significant errors may suggest that you're not adequately prepared. Knowing the aspects you frequently overlook or where you make mistakes in your design can be very helpful in practical work.

I hope you study and learn thoroughly to become a smart and great designer.

Well, until next time!

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